Proposed new rules governing oil and gas drilling in Colorado are notably scaled back from the controversial potential regulations discussed earlier this year. But the rules still contain significant increases in environmental and health protections over the state’s existing drilling rules.

“We want to ensure that the oil and gas boom that we currently are experiencing leaves Colorado as beautiful as it is today,” David Neslin, the acting director of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, said at a briefing this morning for lawmakers on the new draft rules.

“The draft rules,” he added later, “contain a number of changes from the pre-draft concept rules. … In all instances, we believe these changes improve the draft rules and will not compromise in any way the improvement we are seeking to make.”

The rules to be released later today will include restrictions on when and where drilling can be done to protect critical wildlife species or drinking water supplies. They will require oil and gas companies seeking exemptions from the rules to first consult with the Colorado Division of Wildlife or Department of Public Health and Environment. And they will require the companies to disclose what chemicals they use in drilling.

However, the rules limit the amount of time companies must forgo drilling in deference to wildlife to 90 days. And they eliminate the complicated and controversial “Form 34” permitting process, leaving instead an expanded version of the existing permitting process that the commission says should take about two months.

Lawmakers spurred the rule-making process last year, in passing two laws to change the make-up of the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and also reform the existing rules to give greater consideration to health, environmental and wildlife concerns.

The oil and gas industry has fiercely targeted the rule-making, earlier this month rallying hundreds on the Capitol’s west steps under the cry, “Don’t rule us out.” The industry says the new rules could be bad for business, hurting not just oil and gas companies but also the local communities that rely heavily on oil and gas tax revenue.

Environmental groups and others, however, have said the new rules are needed as oil and gas development in the state booms while the regulations governing that development are more than a decade old and don’t reflect current standards.

Advocates on both sides of the issue are reviewing the rules and plan to hold news conferences later in the day to give their take.

At first glance this morning, lawmakers were cautious.

“You’ve made an honest effort to address those concerns that have been raised,” Sen. Jim Isgar, D-Hesperus, told Neslin. “There are still issues to be addressed, but I appreciate your effort.”

“Obviously, I think some progress has been made,” Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, said. “But without the details, it’s difficult to say.”

DENVER — Colorado energy regulators on Monday proposed tighter rules for shutting down oil and gas pipelines after a fatal explosion blamed on natural gas leaking from a line that was thought to be out of service but was still connected to a well. The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission rules govern flow lines, which carry oil, gas and...